CROOKSTON, Minn - Returning to the court after two weeks of rest, the University of Mary Women's Basketball team struggled to shake off the rust and fell to the University of Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles 71-54 in the first game of the New Year for the Marauders.
 
Brittney Dietz only played 22 minutes tonight, well below her season average, after she found herself in foul trouble through most of the game. She did finish with 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks in her limited action, demonstrating her reliability as she has done all year.
 
Both teams failed to make a basket in the first two minutes of the game but U-Mary finally broke the drought with a jumper from Dietz and the Marauders built up a 9-5 lead over the Golden Eagles going into the first media break of the first half. The Golden Eagles would respond, however, as they netted 13 of the next 17 points and surged ahead to an 18-13 advantage at the second break. The Marauders bounced back and utilized a potent offense combined with a stingy defense to keep the game close as U-Mary regained the lead 25-24 at the final break of the first half. The offense saw a bit of a hiccup, unfortunately, and the Golden Eagles took over the lead again at 38-32 going into halftime.
 
Like most games this year, this one was a tale of two halves and the second half proved to be the demise of the Marauders.
 
Minnesota Crookston continued to build their lead and held a 48-39 margin over the Marauders at the first media break of the second half. U-Mary offense stalled from there as the Golden Eagles extended their advantage to 60-45 at the second break. Both teams essentially swapped buckets from that point and the Marauders offense managed only two made baskets in the final five minutes of the game while Dietz fouled out with 2:20 left in the game. The final score was 71-54.
 
Dietz's 11 points came on 4-of-10 shooting with 1-of-4 coming from beyond the arc.
 
Dani Williams led the Marauders with 12 points, three assists, five steals, one block and one rebound in 30 minutes played. She finished shooting 5-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line
 
Haley Hibbs maintained her steady play with eight points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block in 28 minutes of action. Hibbs managed 3-for-9 shooting including a 2-for-7 performance from three-point land.
 
Hannah Larson was uncharacteristically quiet tonight, but still managed six points, five rebounds, two assists, two block and one steal in 26 minutes on the court.
 
Sloan Turner got the call from the bench and it was a call she answered. Turner finished with eight points, three rebounds, and three blocks in 17 minutes on the floor. Turner shot 4-for-7 from the field.
 
As a team, the Marauders maintained their torrid pace in blocks as they finished with 10 blocks as a team. They lead the NSIC with 6.17 blocks per game.
 
The Marauders (6-7, 4-3 NSIC) will stay in the northern part of Minnesota tomorrow for a Northern Sun Conference game against Bemidji State University.
 
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